Families in denial

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It is so sad when dealing with family members of residents that are in denial of their disease. I work in a Alzheimer unit. I dealt with a daughter of of resident that is declining. She had not seen him in 6 weeks and was very disturbed with his condition. He sleeps alot, plays with his food, and fidgets with thing. She was determined the her father is over medicated.I reviewed his meds and there is not a possibility of that. I explained to her that this was a normal progression of the disease. She got very defensive and told me no it is not I have researched it and I am not ignorant. I know it is hard to except the decline of a parents health. I feel helpless and wished that a simple med change would bring the father as she knows back.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Is a palliative care consult possible?

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Yes I have set the family up with some resources. I believe it is to the point that the family is so upset it will take some time and maybe more people explaining and teaching the family about the progression. The Daughter was just so shocked to see her Dad like that and I totally felt her pain and panic with the situation :( she I am sure just feels helpless

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